Excellent value, needs really good care

This machine is one of the best values on the market. Relatively cheap it delivers 15 bars of pressure and makes awesome espresso, fully comparable with machines in the $500 class. As all espresso makers, it takes some time to master in terms of coffee grind etc., and as with all espresso drinks, the quality depends on the coffee and the water used.

Personally, I prefer to use the gold Lavazza Espresso straight from the package and Aquafina or other purified water. The tap water, at least in my area, alters the taste of the espresso to something I don't particularly like.

One thing you need to keep in mind is that if you use tap water you need to take extremely good care of the maker, since the calcification tends to ruin it very quickly. I left my old one unused for a month without de-calcifying first and the pump died shortly after I tried to use it again. I dissasembled the entire machine and traced the clog to the heating element, which is extremely tight and provides less than 1mm cross section for the water flow, and once this is left uncleaned the calcification builds very quickly clogging the element, and from there ruins the pump. The cheapest way to clean the machine is with tap water mixed with vinegar in roughly 5 to 1 ratio, however as mentioned above with my second machine I would opt for purified water, that tastes better anyway.

Low price great results!

Don't you just love the smell of Starbucks when you walk in. I know I do, I just enjoy sitting inside on a rainy Vancouver day enjoying a mocha and the smell of Espresso. I have had a home expresso machine since the late 80's and this time last year I replaced by old and tried machine with a Breville Cafe Rome machine. How do I like you ask well... were do I start. The look is fantastic, blends in to all our modern chrome, stainless like appliances, heavy solid machine with a removable water tub and a 15 Bar heater. Very easy to use. You will have no problem producing milk foam thick enough to flick off a spoon within your first 2-3 usages. Espresso comes out nice and dark with lots of crema on top. No bitter coffee here! Just beautiful drinks everytime. So why do I go to Starbucks when I have this fantastic machine at home, I don't anymore. I only go in now to purchase my whole beans.

The Little Engine That Could...

I purchased the Breville Cafe Roma ESP8XL Espresso Machine for design quality, size, and price. I am pleased with my purchase.... I have been wanting my own machine for quite some time and just couldn't see spending a fortune on one!! I think this machine is a great deal for the first time buyer. I tried it out.... ok lets go back many many years first, because I was a barista right out of high school; so I know what a good espresso is and the art of making one. I am usually a coffee person by day and espresso person by weekend... so I am ordering some PODS for ease of use and cleanup! Grinding the beans, measuring, tamping and producing that yummy crema can be time consuming!!! I am all about quick and convenient... thus the pod purchase!
I would recommend this product to any beginner that wants a very simple, easy to use machine!!!

Awesome machine and easy to use!!!

I have always wanted an espresso machine and decided that it was time to buy one after realizing that I was spending over $60.00 a month on lattes from *Starbucks. I had read reviews on all different brands of machines but you can never find a solid positive review, so I decided to buy an espresso machine that was sold at my favorite kitchen store *William Sonoma. They did not carry the Breville Cafe Roma but they did carry other Brevilles, so I decided that this was the brand that I wanted. After I received my espresso machine, I read over the instructions and then tried it out. IT IS SO EASY!!! You add your water, turn it on and wait for it to heat up (which takes mere moments). Once it is heated, you add your fine ground coffee to the single or double shot filter, place your cup or cups under the filter and turn the dial to the espresso setting and out comes hot espresso. If you desire steamed milk in your drink, you turn the dial back to the center and allow the machine to reheat (which takes seconds) and then you just add your milk to the steaming cup, place the steaming wand inside the cup and turn the dial to steam and you get perfectly steamed milk everytime. It is also a snap to froth the milk just by lowering the cup until the very tip of the frothing/steaming wand is right on top of the milk. In just one month, this espresso machine paid for itself in the money that I saved from having to go to a coffee shop for a good latte. I recommend this for anyone who loves a good latte but hates spending $4.00 or more for a good latte or espresso drink.

Expresso Machine..

This is a really good Expresso Machine. Good quality and craftsmanship, very simple to use. I decided to buy it because my existing Expresso maker was already taking too long to brew a fresh cup. I researched most Expresso Machines on eBay and decided on the Breville Cafe Roma.